Abstract
Vachellia erioloba (E. Mey.) P.J.H. Hurter is a multipurpose tree that provides goods and services and confronted with over-exploitation regular bush fires, habitat change and global warming. Germination of seeds of this species is not well understood. They are characterized by hard seed coats impermeable to water and gaseous exchange. A study was conducted at Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resource to evaluate the responses of Vachellia erioloba to different pre-sowing treatments in a completely randomized design (CRD) with ten treatments; control, mechanical scarification (nicking), hot water, boiling water (1, 3 and 5 minutes) and 98% concentrated sulphuric acid (15, 30, 45, 60 minutes) from January to February 2018. The results indicated that seed germination was significantly (p = 0.00001) affected by pre-sowing treatment methods. The highest germination percentages were recorded in nicking, seeds subjected to sulphuric acid and hot water for 24h. Soaking seeds in boiling water (1, 3 and 5 minutes) resulted in no germination. Nicking and soaking seeds in hot water for 24 hours are simple technique that can be recommended for use in nurseries and by smallholder tree growers. Although the concentrated sulphuric acid improved germination in this work, it is not suitable for use in nurseries because of its high cost and the danger it poses to workers.
